756 LIFE OF DA VTD LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



map, dotted generally in clusters all round the shores, at distances of two and 

 three miles from the mainland. The largest in the whole lake is Sesseh, 

 which we made forty miles in length. Sesseh — or, as Mr. Stanley calls it, 

 Sasse — has an area of about seven hundred English square miles ; the dimen- 

 sions of this one island will give some idea of the importance of this inland 

 sea, which is probably the largest body of fresh water — at this altitude — in 

 the known world. Regarding the altitudes taken by Mr. Stanley, we find 

 that, in leaving the desert plain of Ugogo, he ascended to another plateau, 

 three thousand eight hundred feet ; again, as he proceeded north-west, he 

 came on a still higher one of four thousand five hundred feet, and his great- 

 est altitude was five thousand one hundred feet, which is the watershed be- 

 tween the lake and the sea-coast. This last height corresponds with the 

 highest inhabited country Speke and I traversed in our journey — namely, 

 the capital of Karagweh, which approaches to within fifty miles of the 

 W.S.W. end of the lake. The height of the Nyanza above the sea was 

 three thousand five hundred and fifty to three thousand six hundred and 

 fifty feet by one aneroid, and three thousand five hundred and seventy- 

 five to three thousand six hundred and seventy-five by another. A further 

 observation by Mr. Stanley, with two boiling thermometers, made the alti- 

 tude, subject to correction, similar to Speke's — namely, three thousand eight 

 hundred and one, or sixty-eight feet in excess of Speke's observations. The 

 difference is insignificant, and we may accept them as the established alti- 

 tude of Victoria Nyanza. The area of Victoria Nyanza, as made known to 

 us by Mr. Stanley, proves that Speke far underrated its extent. I have care- 

 fully measured the maps of both travellers with compass to ascertain their 

 existing difference, measuring every ten miles, and the result by this rather 

 rough means obtained is as follows : — Circumference of Speke's lake, six hun- 

 dred and forty-five geographical miles; circumference of Stanley's lake, eight 

 hundred and ninety geographical miles. If we add two hundred and sixty- 

 five geographical miles, the circumference of the Bahr-ingo Lake in Speke's 

 map, we get nine hundred and ten miles as one body of water — a curious 

 similarity, in circumference, to Stanley's single lake — only twenty miles of 

 difference. Mr. Stanley thinks the mode of spelling Nyanza is objectionable, 

 because, he says, the natives do not pronounce it in this way. Let me first 

 explain that, in using the expression, Lake Victoria Nyanza, we actually say 

 Lake Victoria Lake — Nyanza signifying ' lake.' All that is necessary when 

 using the word is to call it the Victoria Nyanza, or Victoria Lake. As to the 

 spelling and pronunciation of the word, we find that it is sounded differently 

 in different localities." In conclusion, Col. Grant said — " These few remarks 

 on Mr. Stanley's journey, I may state, are made on my own authority, by 

 request of the President of the Geographical Society, for I felt that it was 

 not for me to come forward as the champion of Speke. He required no such 



